CN105308567A - Category-based fence - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a category-based fencing technique. The category-based fence may correspond to a set of signal sources rather than point locations fixed to latitude and longitude coordinates. A set of signal sources may represent a category of entities, e.g., a particular chain of businesses. The signal sources may be distributed to a plurality of discrete locations. Thus, the category-based pens associated with the group can correspond to multiple locations rather than a single point location and radius. Each signal source in the group may be associated with a category identifier that is unique to the group and consistent among the signal sources in the group. The category identifier may be programmed into each signal source. Upon detection of the signal identifier by the mobile device, the mobile device can enter the category-based fence by entering any of the discrete locations. The mobile device can then execute an application associated with the category-based fence.

Description

Category-Based Fencing

technical field

This disclosure generally relates to geofencing.

Background technique

Some mobile devices have features for providing location-based information. For example, a mobile device may execute a pre-designated application or present specific content when the mobile device enters or exits a geofence. Geofences can be defined by point locations and radii. Point locations can have longitude and latitude coordinates. The mobile device can determine that the mobile device has entered or exited the geofence by determining an estimated location of the mobile device and calculating a distance between the estimated location and the point location. Based on whether the calculated distance exceeds the radius of the geofence, the mobile device can determine whether the mobile device enters or exits the geofence. The mobile device can utilize a global satellite system (eg, GPS) or cellular triangulation techniques to determine an estimated location, which also includes longitude and latitude coordinates.

Contents of the invention

Class-based fencing techniques are described. A category-based fence may be a location-agnostic fence defined by a signal source that does not have geographic location information. Class-based fences may correspond to a set of signal sources rather than point locations fixed to latitude and longitude coordinates. A set of signal sources may represent a class of entities, for example, a particular chain of businesses. Each signal source need not have geographic information about where the signal source or mobile device is. Similarly, mobile devices need not have geographic information about where the source of the signal is. Signal sources can be distributed to multiple discrete locations. Thus, the class-based fence associated with the group can correspond to multiple locations rather than a single point location and radius. Each signal source in the set may be associated with the set of unique category identifiers that are consistent across signal sources in the set. This class identifier can be programmed into each source. When the mobile device detects the signal identifier, the mobile device can enter the class-based fence by entering any of the discrete locations. The mobile device can then execute the application associated with the category-based fence.

The features described in this specification can be implemented to realize the following advantages. Category-based fencing allows for the implementation of more complex location-based services than conventional geofencing. Rather than limiting geofencing to a single point location and radius, category-based fencing can have multiple locations, which can correspond to distributed operations of a business, government, or educational entity. For example, a retail chain located in multiple cities can define category-based fences for the retail chain. A category based fence may have a portion of the fence in each of multiple cities. The same application on a mobile device that provides promotions to customers of a retail chain can be triggered when a customer walks into any store in any city with a mobile device.

Category-based fencing allows for more flexible implementation of location-based services than conventional geofencing. Category-based fencing can change locations when implementing an enterprise migration of category-based fencing. For example, if a business associated with a category-based fence moves from its original location to a new location, without changing the latitude and longitude coordinates of the geofence and broadcasting the change, the business can bring the source from the original location to the new location, And complete the fence change. Similarly, adding new locations to or removing locations from a category-based fence can be done without reprogramming the fence. The addition of locations may be done by adding sources broadcasting the same category identifier as the other sources in the group defining the category-based fence. Removal of a location can be done by turning off the sources in the group.

Category-based fencing allows for higher spacing sizes than regular geofencing. Since a class-based fence can be defined by multiple sources sharing a class identifier, each of the signal sources can be of short communication range (e.g., 50 meters when attenuation by furniture, walls, or human bodies is considered) or lower) for low-power signal sources. The short range allows precise definition of category-based fences, which in turn can enhance user experience. For example, a category-based fence could trigger an app to display a restaurant's new menu on a mobile device only when a customer enters the restaurant with their phone. Whereas a conventional geofence, which depends on latitude and longitude coordinates and GPS signals, may be triggered on the mobile device when the user of the mobile device is not at the restaurant (e.g., when the user walks down that street) due to interference with the GPS signal from surrounding buildings. to display the menu.

The details of one or more implementations of category-based fencing are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects and advantages of category-based fences will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary class-based fence.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating dynamic modification of an exemplary class-based fence.

3 is a block diagram illustrating components of an exemplary class-based fence subsystem for a mobile device.

4 is a flowchart of an example process for triggering applications using category-based fences based on category identifiers.

5 is a flowchart of an example process for triggering an application using category-based fences based on point-of-interest lists.

6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for creating a category-based fence.

7 is a block diagram of an exemplary system architecture for implementing the features and operations of creating category-based fences.

8 is a block diagram illustrating an example device architecture of a mobile device that implements the features and operations of category-based fences.

9 is a block diagram of an exemplary network operating environment for a mobile device implementing the features and operations of category-based fences.

Like reference numerals in the various drawings indicate like elements.

detailed description

Exemplary class-based fences

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary class-based fence. The mobile device 102 may be an exemplary electronic device (eg, a tablet computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or wearable computing device) programmed to execute an application when the mobile device 102 enters a class-based fence. A class-based fence may be defined by a set of signal sources including, for example, signal sources 104 , 106 and 108 . Each of signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may be a wireless beacon configured to broadcast an identifier over one or more pre-designated communication channels. In some implementations, the signal sources 104, 106, and 108 are radio frequency (RF) transmitters. For example, signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may be Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11u (Wi-Fi ^™ ) compliant beacons. In some implementations, the signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may be Bluetooth ^™ Low Energy (BLE) or Near Field Communication (NFC) beacons. Signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may be of the same device type or of different device types. Each of signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may broadcast an identifier on one or more designated channels.

Identifiers broadcast by each of signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may be programmed. At least a portion of the identifier may be a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID). A UUID can be a number with a specified size (eg, 128 bits). A UUID may be unique to a group of signal sources (eg, signal sources 104, 106, and 108) and be consistent for each individual signal source 104, 106, or 108 in the group. UUIDs can be programmed by the class-based fence manager 110 . Class-based fence manager 110 may be a computing device (eg, a server) configured to generate or otherwise obtain a UUID and associate the generated UUID with an entity class. The UUID associated with a class will be referred to as a class identifier (CID).

The class-based fence manager 110 can define entity classes associated with UUIDs as organizational classes having one or more physical presences. In some implementations, a category may be a generalization of a type of organization. For example, the category-based fence manager 110 may define the categories "grocery store," "gas station," or "museum." In some implementations, a category can represent a particular organization. For example, the category-based fence manager 110 may define the categories "University of California" or "Century 12 Cinemas." In some implementations, the class-based fence manager 110 may cause the CID to be stored on the signal sources 104 , 106 , and 108 to be broadcast as at least part of the identifiers broadcast by the signal sources 104 , 106 , and 108 .

The class-based fence manager 110 may provide the CID to the application server 112 . Application server 112 may be a computing device that associates an application program, such as a program that displays advertisements for a group of entities, with a corresponding CID. The application may be a fence-triggered program, where entering or exiting a class-based fence causes the program to be activated or deactivated. The application server 112 can then provide the application and associate the CID to the mobile device 102 .

Signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may be located at different and discrete locations. For example, signal source 104 may be placed at location 114 . Signal sources 106 and 108 may be placed at location 116 . Each of signal sources 104, 106, and 108 may have a coverage area, such as coverage areas 124, 126, and 128, respectively. Each of coverage areas 124 , 126 , and 128 may be an area surrounding a respective signal source within which an identifier broadcast by the respective signal source may be readily detected by mobile device 102 . The size of each of coverage areas 124, 126, and 128 may correspond to the communication range of signal sources 104, 106, and 108, respectively. Coverage areas 124 , 126 and 128 are shown as circular areas in FIG. 1 . In various implementations, coverage areas 124 , 126 , and 128 may have shapes other than circular, eg, irregular shapes bounded by the physical structure of sites 114 and 116 . Coverage areas 124, 126 and 128 need not be identical. Coverage areas 124, 126, and 128 may be sufficiently small to be discrete. For example, coverage areas 124, 126, and 128 are limited by the communication range of their signal sources within the boundaries of locations 114 and 116, respectively, such that mobile device 102 can detect signal source 104 at location 114 but not detect signal source at location 114. 106 or 108. Class-based fencing may operate when at least one of signal sources 104, 106, or 108 begins broadcasting an identifier including a CID.

In some implementations, the category-based fence manager 110 can publish a list of categories and corresponding CIDs. Table 1 below shows a portion of an exemplary list issued by the category-based fence manager 110 .

category CID grocery store fd896290-6e29-11e2-bcfd-0800200c9a66 ABC store 787520c0-6e2a-11e2-bcfd-0800200c9a66

Table 1

Afterwards, the class-based fencing can be extended by adding new sources broadcasting class CIDs. For example, when the "ABC Store" chain opens a new "ABC Store" in a certain location, a new signal source may be placed at the new location, programmed to broadcast the corresponding CID as published in Table 1. Category-based fences can be extended by adding new signal sources and placing new signal sources at a given location without submitting the location of a given location to the application server 112 for download by the mobile device 102 .

The mobile device 102 can obtain the fence-triggered application, and the associated CID, from the application server 112 . In M scans the state of the wireless subsystem (e.g., the wireless processor and the memory storing the software that controls the wireless processor) changes from (1) no detection of a source based on a class-based fence to (2) detection of a source based on The mobile device 102 is capable of detecting entry into a category-based fence when one or more sources of the category-based fence, such as the signal source 104, are entered, where M is a pre-specified threshold number of entries. The state of the wireless subsystem changes from (1) detecting one or more sources of class-based fences to (2) not detecting a source of class-based fences such as any of signal sources 104, 106, or 108 in N scans A signal source, the mobile device 102 is able to detect exiting a category-based fence, where N is a pre-specified threshold number of exits. In various implementations, the entry threshold M can be greater than, the same as, or smaller than the exit threshold N. Detecting may include receiving a CID from signal source 104 , 106 or 108 .

In some implementations, while the applications subsystem (e.g., an applications processor and memory storing software that controls the applications processor) of the mobile device 102 is in a "sleep" (e.g., power saving) mode, the wireless subsystem may Detection of entry or exit is performed. Upon detection of entry or exit, the wireless subsystem can activate the application subsystem and notify the application subsystem, including providing a CID to the application subsystem. The application subsystem can then activate or deactivate the fence-triggered application based on the CID.

For example, mobile device 102 may enter location 114 . Upon entry, the wireless subsystem of the mobile device 102 can detect a signal from the signal source 104 that includes the identifier. The wireless subsystem of the mobile device 102 can determine that at least a portion of the identifier matches a CID registered at the wireless subsystem of the mobile device 102 . The wireless subsystem of the mobile device 102 can then notify the application subsystem of the mobile device 102, which in turn can activate (eg, execute) the fence-triggered application. Mobile device 102 can activate a fence-triggered application in either location 114 or location 116 even when location 114 and location 116 are remote from each other. Furthermore, mobile device 102 can be at location 114 or location 114 when mobile device 102 is unable to determine an estimated geographic location of mobile device 102 even if the location subsystem of mobile device 102 is turned off, for example, because there is no GPS signal indoors or to conserve power. Activate the fence-triggered app in any of the 116 locations.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating dynamic modification of an exemplary class-based fence. In an exemplary category-based fence, initially, a signal source 104 with a coverage area 124 may be placed at a location 114 . Signal source 104 can broadcast a CID, eg, a CID associated with the category "ABC store" of Table 1 . The category "ABC store" may be a chain of stores, including multiple brick and mortar stores, one of which is located at location 114 .

The physical store at location 114 may be relocated to new location 202. Location 202 may be an outdoor or indoor location that is larger than location 114 and far enough away from location 114 that if mobile device 102 is located at location 202, mobile device 102 cannot detect signals from a signal source 104 when located at location 114. 104 signal.

Fences based on the category "ABC store" may change due to relocation of brick and mortar stores and increase in location size. A first change in category-based fences corresponding to a change in store location may be facilitated by moving signal source 104 from location 114 to location 202 . A second variation of category-based fencing corresponding to increased location size can be facilitated by adding more signal sources. For example, signal source 104 may be a low power RF device (eg, a BLE beacon that transmits no more than 10 milliwatts (mW)). The coverage area 124 of the signal source 104 may be sufficient to cover the location 114 but not sufficient to cover the entirety of the location 202 . Additional signal sources 204, 206, 208, and 210 may be added to the category-based fence. Signal sources 204, 206, 208 and 210 may be low power RF devices. When combined, the coverage areas 124 , 214 , 216 , 218 and 220 of the signal sources 104 , 204 , 206 , 208 and 210 , respectively, may be sufficient to cover substantially the entirety of the location 202 . Signal sources 104, 204, 206, 208, and 210 may each store a CID associated with the category "ABC store" and be configured to broadcast the CID as a beacon signal.

When the sources 104, 204, 206, 208 and 210 start broadcasting the CID at the new location 202, the changed fence based on the category "ABC store" may work. When mobile device 102 enters location 202, mobile device 102 can detect a signal from any of signal sources 104, 204, 206, 208, and 210 and, upon detection, trigger an application associated with the CID. The triggered application may be the same application that the mobile device 102 will trigger at the location 114 when the mobile device 102 is able to detect a signal from the signal source 104 when the signal source 104 is located at the location 114 . For example, an application previously triggered by mobile device 102 at location 114 and an application now triggered by mobile device 102 at location can result in user interface 222 being displayed on screen 224 of mobile device 102 . Regardless of where the particular store is physically located, the user interface 222 may be a user interface associated with the category "ABC store." For example, user interface 222 may include a "Welcome to ABC Store" message common to all ABC stores, as well as promotional items 226 and 228 .

Exemplary Equipment Parts

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating components of an example class-based fence subsystem 302 of the mobile device 102 . Class-based fence subsystem 302 may include application subsystem 304 . Application subsystem 304 may include one or more processors (eg, application processors) configured to execute application programs. Application subsystem 304 may include application server interface 306 . Application server interface 306 is a component of application subsystem 304 that includes hardware and software and is configured to communicate with an application server (eg, application server 112 ) and receive (eg, by downloading) one or more application programs. Each application received through the application server interface 306 may be associated with a CID and configured to be triggered by entering or exiting a class-based fence associated with the CID.

Application subsystem 304 may include application manager 308 . Application manager 308 may be a component of the application subsystem configured to store, activate or deactivate fence-triggered applications. For example, application manager 308 can store and manage fence-triggered applications 310 and 312 . Each of fence-triggered applications 310 and 312 may be associated with a corresponding CID and specification. The specification can specify that a fence-triggered application 310 or 312 should be activated or deactivated when the mobile device 102 enters or exits the corresponding class-based fence.

The application manager 308 can register the CID with the wireless subsystem 320 . Wireless subsystem 320 is a component of class-based fence subsystem 302, which may include an antenna, a wireless processor (eg, a baseband processor), and software or firmware. Wireless subsystem 320 may include CID registry 322 . CID registry 322 may store one or more CIDs used for scanning. Wireless subsystem 320 may include signal source interface 324 . Signal source interface 324 is a component of wireless subsystem 320 that is configured to scan one or more communication channels for signals from a signal source, detect signal source identifiers from signals detected in the scan, and convert the detected The signal source identifier matches a CID stored in the CID registry 322 . Wireless subsystem 320 may include a scan parameter registry 326 configured to store entry thresholds (M), exit thresholds (N), or both. The signal source interface 324 may generate a notification when a signal source identifier matching one of the CIDs is detected in at least M scans or not detected in at least N scans. Wireless subsystem 320 may provide notifications to application subsystem 304 . The notification may include one or more CIDs for which a match was detected.

Upon receiving the notification, application subsystem 304 can determine whether to activate (eg, execute) or deactivate (eg, exit from execution) application 310 or 312 . The application may present user interface items through the user interface manager 328 upon activation of the application. User interface manager 328 may be a component of mobile device 102 that is configured to interact with a user, eg, by displaying content to the user and receiving touch or voice input from the user. User interface items may be visual items (eg, a welcome message displayed on a screen), audio items (eg, a synthesized or recorded voice message), or physical items (eg, mobile device 102 vibrating to alert the user).

exemplary process

4 is a flowchart of an example process 400 for triggering applications based on category identifiers using category-based fences. Process 400 can be performed by mobile device 102 .

Mobile device 102 is capable of receiving ( 402 ) an application from an application server through application server interface 306 . The application may be an application to be triggered by the fence being activated upon entering a category-based fence. Class-based fences may be defined by and correspond to multiple signal sources. A class-based fence may be associated with an identifier (eg, a CID) of a signal source group that includes the signal source. The identifier may comprise a UUID unique to the group but shared by each source in the group and broadcast by the corresponding source as a beacon signal.

Class-based fences can be distributed across multiple discrete geographic locations. Each discrete geographic location may correspond to one or more of the signal sources in the set. Each signal source in the signal source group can be a low-power signal transmitter (for example, a BLE beacon or an NFC beacon) with a transmission power lower than a transmission power threshold or a wireless communication device based on the IEEE802.11u technical standard for mobile wireless communication. beacon.

The mobile device 102 can register ( 404 ) the identifier associated with the category-based fence for monitoring with the application manager 308 . Registering the identifier may include storing the identifier in the CID registry 322 of the wireless subsystem 320 of the mobile device 102 .

The mobile device 102 can utilize the signal source interface 324 to detect (406) a signal from the signal source. The signal may include a signal source identifier matching a registered identifier. The detection of the signal may be based on an entry threshold.

The mobile device 102 can determine (408) that the mobile device 102 has entered one of the discrete geographic locations of the category-based fence based on a match between the signal identifier detected by the signal source interface 324 and the CID stored in the CID registry 322 . Determining that mobile device 102 has entered one of the discrete geographic locations may also be based on determining, utilizing application manager 308 and one or more location processors of mobile device 102 , that mobile device 102 has transitioned from an outdoor state to an indoor state. Determining the transition can include, for example, determining that the mobile device 102 has lost reception of GPS signals.

The mobile device 102 can utilize the application manager 308 to activate (410) the application upon determining that the mobile device 102 has entered one of the discrete geographic locations. In some implementations, upon determining that the mobile device 102 has entered one of the discrete geographic locations, the mobile device 102 can perform operations for detecting a fence exit. The mobile device 102 can scan the communication channel for signal sources and determine one or more signal source identifiers from the signals received in each scan. The mobile device 102 can determine for at least a threshold number of scans that none of the one or more signal source identifiers received in each scan match a registered identifier. The mobile device 102 can then determine that the mobile device 102 has exited the class-based fence and exited the application.

5 is a flowchart of an example process 500 for triggering an application based on a list of points of interest using category-based fences. Process 500 can be performed by mobile device 102 .

The mobile device 102 can determine ( 502 ) an estimated location of the mobile device 102 . The estimated location may include a geographic area, eg, a city or a geographic area of X kilometers in diameter. The mobile device 102 can use GPS signals or wireless triangulation to determine the estimated location.

The mobile device 102 can determine (504) a point-of-interest database based on the geographic area and category identifier (CID). A CID can be associated with a set of signal sources. The mobile device 102 can specify the category identifier based on a user input category (eg, "grocery store") and a published listing of categories and corresponding CIDs. The point-of-interest database can store signal source identifiers for the signal sources in the group. The signal sources in the group may be wireless beacons placed at discrete locations within the geographic area. The CID may be shared by the sources in the group and broadcast by the sources. Additionally, each source can broadcast an individual identifier with a CID. A single identifier and CID can form the source's beacon broadcast payload.

The mobile device 102 can detect (506) the signal source identifier by channel scanning. Channel scanning may include using the wireless subsystem 320 of the mobile device 102 to tune into a frequency channel available to a signal source, determine if and when a signal can be received on the channel, and determine whether a signal source identifier is present in the signal.

The mobile device 102 can determine (508) that at least a portion of the detected signal source identifier matches a CID stored in the point-of-interest database. This part may be the UUID part of the signal source identifier. The mobile device 102 can then activate (510) the application associated with the CID based on the match.

In some implementations, the mobile device 102 can determine (512) to exit the fence. The exit fence may be a category-based fence surrounding the geographic area. The mobile device 102 may then determine that an exit from the exit fence has occurred by, for example, utilizing the GPS signal to determine that the mobile device 102 is no longer located in the city in which the mobile device 102 was originally located. Upon determining to opt out, the mobile device 102 can determine a new point-of-interest database storing a new list of signal source identifiers. For example, when mobile device 102 has determined that mobile device 102 has moved from a first city to a second city, mobile device 102 can register a list of signal source identifiers corresponding to the category "grocery store" located in the second city, and Scan for source identifiers in the new list.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process 600 of creating a category-based fence. Process 600 may be performed by a system including one or more processors, eg, a system including class-based fence manager 110 or application server 112 or both.

The system can associate a unique identifier with an application (602). The unique identifier (eg, CID) may represent a category-based fence. The application may be activated on the mobile device 102 when the mobile device 102 enters the category-based fence.

The system may cause (604) the representation of the unique identifier to be stored on a plurality of signal sources. The signal source may be a low-power signal transmitter whose transmission power is lower than a transmission power threshold or a wireless beacon based on the IEEE802.11u technical standard for mobile wireless communication.

The system can define (606) a category-based fence using a number of discrete locations. Defining class-based fences may include distributing signal sources to discrete locations. When the designated communication range of a first signal source located at a first location does not reach a second location where a second signal source is located, the locations are discrete, or not connected to each other. The system can define category-based fences independently of latitude or longitude coordinates. For example, the system may not define category-based fences with latitude or longitude coordinates for each discrete location.

The system can cause (608) the mobile device 102 to activate the application when the mobile device 102 detects the unique identifier at any discrete location. Enabling mobile device 102 to activate the application may include providing the application to mobile device 102 in association with the unique identifier and designating the application as the application that is triggered when mobile device 102 enters or exits the category-based fence.

In some implementations, the system can extend category-based fences by adding new discrete locations. Adding a new discrete location may include having the additional signal source store a unique identifier specific to the category, and having the additional signal source be placed at the new discrete location and broadcast the unique identifier.

Exemplary System Architecture

7 is a block diagram of an exemplary system architecture 700 for implementing the features and operations of creating category-based fences. Other architectures are also possible, including architectures with more or fewer components. In some implementations, architecture 700 includes one or more processors 702 (e.g., dual-core processor), one or more output devices 704 (e.g., LCD), one or more network interfaces 706, one or more input devices 708 (e.g., mouse, keyboard, touch-sensitive display), and one or more computer-readable Media 712 (eg, RAM, ROM, SDRAM, hard disk, optical disk, flash memory, etc.). These components may exchange communications and data via one or more communication channels 710 (eg, buses), which may utilize various hardware and software to facilitate the transfer of data and control signals between the components.

The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 702 for execution, including, but not limited to, nonvolatile media (such as optical or magnetic disks), volatile media (such as memory), and transmission medium. Transmission media include, but are not limited to, coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics.

Computer-readable media 712 may also include an operating system 714 (e.g., Mac server, Windows ), network communication module 716, application configuration unit 720, CID distribution unit 730 and category publishing unit 740. Application configuration unit 720 may include instructions for causing processor 702 to obtain CIDs (either by generating CIDs or receiving CIDs from a UUID source) and associating each CID with an application program. CID distribution unit 730 may include instructions for causing processor 702 to provide a CID to one or more signal sources for storage on the signal source. Category publishing unit 740 may include instructions for causing processor 702 to publish a list of one or more categories and corresponding CIDs to allow dynamic expansion or changes of category-based fences. Operating system 714 may be multi-user, multi-processing, multi-tasking, multi-threaded, real-time, and the like. The operating system 714 performs basic tasks including, but not limited to: recognizing input from and providing output to the devices 706, 708; keeping track of and managing files and directories on the computer-readable medium 712 (e.g., memory or storage); controlling peripheral device; and managing traffic on one or more communication channels 710. The network communication module 716 includes various components for establishing and maintaining network connections (eg, software for implementing communication protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, etc.).

Architecture 700 may be implemented in a parallel processing or peer-to-peer infrastructure or on a single device with one or more processors. Software may comprise multiple software components or may be a single body of code.

The described features may advantageously be implemented in one or more computer programs executable on a programmable system comprising at least one input device, at least one output device, and coupled to receive data from a data storage system and instructions and send the data and instructions to at least one programmable processor of the data storage system. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used directly or indirectly in a computer to perform a certain activity or produce a certain result. A computer program can be programmed in any form of programming language (e.g., Objective-C, Java), including compiled and interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, A browser-based web application, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and the one or only processor of multiple processors or cores of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include or be operatively coupled to communicate with one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard drives and removable Magnetic disks; Magneto-optical disks; and Optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magnetic compact discs; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs. The processor and memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated into, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

To provide interaction with the user, these features may be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube ) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor, the pointing device is such as a mouse or a trackball.

These features can be implemented in a computer system that includes a back-end component such as a data server, or that includes a middleware component such as an application server or an Internet server, or that includes a front-end component such as a computer with a graphical user interface or an Internet browser. server's client computer, or any combination of them. The components of the system can be connected by any form or medium of digital data communication such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks include, for example, LANs, WANs, and computers and networks forming the Internet.

A computer system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact over a network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

Exemplary Mobile Device Architecture

8 is a block diagram illustrating an example device architecture 800 for a mobile device implementing class-based features and operations. A mobile device (eg, mobile device 102 ) can include a memory interface 802 , one or more data processors, image processors and/or processors 804 , and peripherals interface 806 . Memory interface 802, one or more processors 804, and/or peripherals interface 806 may be separate components, or may be integrated into one or more integrated circuits. Processor 804 may include an application processor, a baseband processor, and a radio processor. Components in mobile device 102 may be coupled, for example, by one or more communication buses or signal lines.

Sensors, devices, and subsystems can be coupled to peripherals interface 806 to facilitate multiple functions. For example, a motion sensor 810, a light sensor 812, and a proximity sensor 814 can be coupled to the peripherals interface 806 to facilitate orientation, lighting, and proximity functions of the mobile device. A location processor 815 (eg, a GPS receiver) may be connected to the peripherals interface 806 to provide geolocation. An electronic magnetometer 816 (eg, an integrated circuit chip) can also be connected to peripherals interface 806 to provide data that can be used to determine the direction of magnetic north. Thus, the electronic magnetometer 816 can be used as an electronic compass. Motion sensor 810 can include one or more accelerometers configured to determine a change in speed and direction of motion of the mobile device. Barometer 817 can include one or more devices connected to peripherals interface 806 and configured to measure atmospheric pressure surrounding the mobile device.

Camera subsystem 820 and optical sensor 822 (eg, charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor) may be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such as taking pictures and video clips.

Communications functions may be facilitated by one or more wireless communications subsystems 824, which may include radio frequency receivers and transmitters and/or optical (eg, infrared) receivers and transmitters. The specific design and implementation of communications subsystem 824 may depend on the communications network over which the mobile device is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device may include a communication subsystem 824 designed to operate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a Wi-Fi ^™ or WiMax ^™ network, and a Bluetooth ^™ network. Specifically, the wireless communication subsystem 824 can include hosting protocols such that a mobile device can be configured as a base station for other wireless devices.

Audio subsystem 826 may be coupled to speaker 828 and microphone 830 to facilitate voice-enabled functions such as voice recognition, voice replication, digital recording, and telephony functions. Audio subsystem 826 may be configured to receive voice commands from a user.

I/O subsystem 840 can include touch surface controller 842 and/or other input controllers 844 . Touch surface controller 842 may be coupled to touch surface 846 or pad. Touch surface 846 and touch surface controller 842 can, for example, utilize any of a variety of touch-sensitive technologies to detect contact and motion, or interruption thereof, including, but not limited to, capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, and other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with contact surface 846 . Touch surface 846 can include, for example, a touch screen.

The other one or more input controllers 844 may be coupled to other input/control devices 848, such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb wheels, infrared ports, USB ports, and/or pointing devices such as stylus. The one or more buttons (not shown) may include up/down buttons for volume control of the speaker 828 and/or microphone 830 .

In one implementation, pressing the button for a first duration can unlock the touch surface 846 ; and pressing the button for a second duration longer than the first duration can turn power to the mobile device 102 on or off. The user can customize the functions of one or more of the buttons. For example, touch surface 846 may also be used to implement virtual or soft buttons and/or a keyboard.

In some implementations, the mobile device 102 can present recorded audio and/or video files, such as MP3, AAC, and MPEG files. In some implementations, computing device 102 can include the functionality of an MP3 player. Mobile device 102 may thus include an iPod compatible pin connector. Other input/output and control devices may also be used.

Memory interface 802 may be coupled to memory 850 . Memory 850 may include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, and/or flash memory (eg, NAND, NOR). The memory 850 may store an operating system 852, such as Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OSX, WINDOWS, iOS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. Operating system 852 may include instructions for handling basic system services and for performing hardware-related tasks. In some implementations, the operating system 852 may include a kernel (eg, UNIX kernel).

Memory 850 may also store communication instructions 854 to facilitate communication with one or more additional devices, one or more computers, and/or one or more servers. Memory 850 may include graphical user interface instructions 856 to facilitate graphical user interface processing; sensor processing instructions 858 to facilitate sensor related processes and functions; telephony instructions 860 to facilitate telephony related processes and functions; electronic message instructions to facilitate electronic message related processes and functions 862; web browsing instructions 864 to facilitate web browsing related processes and functions; media handling instructions 866 to facilitate media handling related processes and functions; GPS/navigation instructions 868 to facilitate GPS and navigation related processes and functions; Camera instructions 870; magnetometer data 872 and calibration instructions 874 to facilitate magnetometer calibration. Memory 850 may also store other software instructions (not shown), such as security instructions, web video instructions for facilitating processes and functions related to web video, and/or web video instructions for facilitating processes and functions related to web shopping. shopping instructions. In some implementations, the media processing instructions 866 are divided into audio processing instructions and video processing instructions to facilitate audio processing related procedures and functions as well as video processing related procedures and functions. A boot record and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) or similar hardware identifier may also be stored in memory 850 . The memory 850 can store fence instructions 876 which, when executed, can cause the processor 804 to: generate a fence-triggered application or request a fence-triggered application from a server, manage the fence-triggered application, and notify mobile A fence-triggered application is activated or deactivated when the device 102 has entered or exited a category-based fence.

Each of the above-identified instructions and applications may correspond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functions described above. These instructions need not be implemented as separate software programs, processes or modules. Memory 850 may include additional instructions or fewer instructions. Additionally, various functions of the mobile device may be performed in hardware and/or software, including in one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Exemplary Operating Environment

9 is a block diagram of an exemplary network operating environment 900 for mobile devices that implements the features and operations of category-based fences. Mobile devices 902a and 902b may communicate over one or more wired and/or wireless networks 910, eg, in data communications. For example, a wireless network 912 (eg, a cellular network) may communicate with a wide area network (WAN) 914 such as the Internet by utilizing a gateway 916 . Likewise, an access device 918 , such as an 802.11g wireless access point, can provide communication access to the wide area network 914 . Each of mobile devices 902 a and 902 b may be mobile device 102 .

In some implementations, voice and data communications can be established over the wireless network 912 and the access device 918 . For example, mobile device 902a is capable of making and receiving telephone calls (e.g., using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)), sending and receiving electronic mail messages (e.g., using Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3)), and communicating via wireless network 912, gateway 916, and Wide area network 914 retrieves electronic documents and/or streams, such as web pages, photos, and videos (eg, using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP)). Likewise, in some implementations, the mobile device 902b can make and receive telephone calls, send and receive email messages, and retrieve electronic documents through the access device 918 and the wide area network 914 . In some implementations, the mobile device 902a or 902b can be physically connected to the access device 918 using one or more cables, and the access device 918 can be a personal computer. In this configuration, mobile device 902a or 902b may be referred to as a "restricted" device.

Mobile devices 902a and 902b may also establish communications by other means. For example, wireless device 902a is capable of communicating with other wireless devices, such as other mobile devices, cellular telephones, etc., over wireless network 912 . Likewise, mobile devices 902a and 902b can establish peer-to-peer communications 920, such as a personal area network, using one or more communications subsystems, such as Bluetooth ^™ communications devices. Other communication protocols and topologies may also be implemented.

Mobile device 902a or 902b may communicate with one or more services 930 and 940, eg, over the one or more wired and/or wireless networks. For example, one or more category-based fence services 930 may provide fence-triggered applications and associate CIDs with mobile devices 902a and 902b. Category service 940 can provide published categories and corresponding CIDs to mobile devices 902a and 902b so that users of mobile devices 902a and 902b can add sources to the category fence by storing the CIDs corresponding to the categories with the sources, or by changing signal The CID stored on the source to modify the category of the signal source.

The mobile device 902a or 902b is capable of communicating with one or more signal sources 950 . Each signal source 950 may be a wireless beacon configured to broadcast a signal source identifier. The signal source identifier may include a CID. In some implementations, each signal source 950 can communicate with other devices over the wide area network 914, or facilitate communication between the mobile device 902a or 902b and other devices. In some implementations, each signal source 950 may be independent of the communication network and serve only as a beacon for a category-based fence.

Mobile device 902a or 902b may also access other data and content over one or more wired and/or wireless networks. For example, mobile device 902a or 902b can access content publishers, such as news sites, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, websites, blogs, social networking sites, developer networks, and the like. Such access may be provided by making calls to web browsing functions or applications (eg, browsers) in response to user touches (eg, web objects).

Several embodiments of the invention have been described. It should be understood, however, that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (30)

1. a method, comprising:

Application program is received by mobile device, described application program is configured to activate when entering the fence based on classification, the described fence based on classification is corresponding to the signal source group comprising multiple signal source and be associated with the identifier of described signal source group, the wherein said fence based on classification is distributed in multiple discrete geographic position, each discrete geographic position corresponds to the one or more signal sources in described signal source, and each signal source in described signal source is configured to broadcast described identifier;

Register described identifier to be monitored by described mobile device;

Detect the signal from signal source by described mobile device, described signal comprises the signal source identifier of the identifier that coupling is registered;

Determine that described mobile device has entered based on described coupling described based on a position in the described discrete geographic position of the fence of classification; And

Determine to activate described application program according to described.

2. method according to claim 1, each signal source in wherein said signal source group be following at least one:

Emissive power lower than the power down signal transmitter of emissive power threshold value, or

Based on the wireless beacon of the IEEE802.11u technical standard for mobile radio telecommunications.

3. method according to claim 2, wherein each signal source is bluetooth ^tMlow-power consumption (BLE) equipment or near-field communication (NFC) equipment.

4. method according to claim 1, the described identifier of wherein said signal source group comprises universal unique identifier (UUID).

5. method according to claim 1, wherein determine described mobile device entered a position in described discrete geographic position also based on determine described mobile device outdoor status transition to indoor design condition.

6. method according to claim 1, after being included in the position determining that described mobile device has entered in described discrete geographic position:

For the multiple communication channel of signal source broadcast scan, comprise the one or more signal source identifiers determining to receive in each scanning;

For the scanning of at least threshold number, determine the identifier that in the described one or more signal source identifiers received in each scanning, neither one signal source identifier match is registered;

Determine that described mobile device has exited the described fence based on classification; And then

Exit described application program.

7. a method, comprising:

By the system comprising one or more processor, unique identifier is associated with application program, described unique identifier represents the fence based on classification, and described application program is configured to be activated on described mobile device when mobile device enters the described fence based on classification;

The expression of described unique identifier is made to be stored in multiple signal source;

Utilize multiple discrete location to limit the described fence based on classification, comprise and make described signal source be distributed to described discrete location, the given communication range being wherein positioned at the first signal source of first position does not reach the second place that secondary signal source is positioned at; And

When any position place of described mobile device in described discrete location detects described unique identifier, described mobile device is made to activate described application program.

8. method according to claim 7, comprise by adding new discrete location to expand the described fence based on classification, wherein add described new discrete location to comprise additional signal source is placed on described new discrete location place, described additional signal source stores the described expression of described unique identifier.

9. method according to claim 7, wherein limits the described fence based on classification independent of latitude coordinate or longitude coordinate.

10. a method, comprising:

Determined the estimated position of described mobile device by mobile device, described estimated position comprises geographic area;

Interest point data base is determined based on described geographic area and classification logotype symbol, described classification logotype symbol is associated with one group of signal source, each signal source has signal source identifier and is placed on the discrete location place in described geographic area, the described signal source identifier of the signal source in group described in wherein said interest point data library storage;

Detection signal source identifier is carried out by scanning multiple communication channel;

Determine the signal source identifier mated at least partially in the described signal source identifier stored in described interest point data base of detected signal source identifier; And

Activate based on described coupling and accord with described classification logotype the application program be associated.

11. methods according to claim 10, comprising:

Determine to exit fence, described in exit fence correspond to described geographic area; And

Determine from described exit fence exit time, determine new interest point data base.

12. 1 kinds of systems, comprising:

Mobile device; With

Be couple to the memory device of described mobile device, described memory device stores computer instruction, and described computer instruction comprises following operation for making described mobile device perform:

Receive application program, described application program is configured to activate when entering the fence based on classification, the described fence based on classification is corresponding to the signal source group comprising multiple signal source and be associated with the identifier of described signal source group, the wherein said fence based on classification is distributed in multiple discrete geographic position, each discrete geographic position corresponds to the one or more signal sources in described signal source, and each signal source in described signal source is configured to broadcast described identifier;

Register described identifier for monitoring;

Detect the signal from signal source, described signal comprises the signal source identifier of the identifier that coupling is registered;

Determine that described mobile device has entered based on described coupling described based on a position in the described discrete geographic position of the fence of classification; And

Determine to activate described application program according to described.

13. systems according to claim 12, each signal source in wherein said signal source group be following at least one:

Emissive power lower than the power down signal transmitter of emissive power threshold value, or

Based on the wireless beacon of the IEEE802.11u technical standard for mobile radio telecommunications.

14. systems according to claim 12, the described identifier of wherein said signal source group comprises universal unique identifier (UUID).

15. systems according to claim 12, wherein determine described mobile device entered a position in described discrete geographic position also based on determine described mobile device outdoor status transition to indoor design condition.

16. systems according to claim 12, after described operation is included in the position determining that described mobile device has entered in described discrete geographic position:

For the multiple communication channel of signal source broadcast scan, comprise the one or more signal source identifiers determining to receive in each scanning;

For the scanning of at least threshold number, determine the identifier that in the described one or more signal source identifiers received in each scanning, neither one signal source identifier match is registered;

Determine that described mobile device has exited the described fence based on classification; And then

Exit described application program.

17. 1 kinds of systems, comprising:

One or more processor; With

Be couple to the memory device of described one or more processor, described memory device stores computer instruction, and described computer instruction comprises following operation for making described one or more processor perform:

Be associated with application program by unique identifier, described unique identifier represents the fence based on classification, and described application program is configured to be activated on described mobile device when mobile device enters the described fence based on classification;

The expression of described unique identifier is made to be stored in multiple signal source;

Utilize multiple discrete location to limit the described fence based on classification, comprise and make described signal source be distributed to described discrete location, the given communication range being wherein positioned at the first signal source of first position does not reach the second place that secondary signal source is positioned at; And

When any position place of described mobile device in described discrete location detects described unique identifier, described mobile device is made to activate described application program.

18. systems according to claim 17, described operation comprises by adding new discrete location to expand the described fence based on classification, wherein add described new discrete location to comprise additional signal source is placed on described new discrete location place, described additional signal source stores the described expression of described unique identifier.

19. systems according to claim 17, wherein limit the described fence based on classification independent of latitude coordinate or longitude coordinate.

20. 1 kinds of systems, comprising:

Mobile device; With

Be couple to the memory device of described mobile device, described memory device stores computer instruction, and described computer instruction comprises following operation for making described mobile device perform:

Determine the estimated position of described mobile device, described estimated position comprises geographic area;

Interest point data base is determined based on described geographic area and classification logotype symbol, described classification logotype symbol is associated with one group of signal source, each signal source has signal source identifier and is placed on the discrete location place in described geographic area, the described signal source identifier of the signal source in group described in wherein said interest point data library storage;

Detection signal source identifier is carried out by scanning multiple communication channel;

Determine the signal source identifier mated at least partially in the described signal source identifier stored in described interest point data base of detected signal source identifier; And

Activate based on described coupling and accord with described classification logotype the application program be associated.

21. systems according to claim 20, described operation comprises:

Determine to exit fence, described in exit fence correspond to described geographic area; And

Determine from described exit fence exit time, determine new interest point data base.

22. 1 kinds of non-transient state memory devices being couple to mobile device, described non-transient state memory device stores computer instruction, and described computer instruction comprises following operation for making described mobile device perform:

Receive application program, described application program is configured to activate when entering the fence based on classification, the described fence based on classification is corresponding to the signal source group comprising multiple signal source and be associated with the identifier of described signal source group, the wherein said fence based on classification is distributed in multiple discrete geographic position, each discrete geographic position corresponds to the one or more signal sources in described signal source, and each signal source in described signal source is configured to broadcast described identifier;

Register described identifier to be monitored by described mobile device;

Detect the signal from signal source, described signal comprises the signal source identifier of the identifier that coupling is registered;

Determine that described mobile device has entered based on described coupling described based on a position in the described discrete geographic position of the fence of classification; And

Determine to activate described application program according to described.

23. non-transient state memory devices according to claim 22, each signal source in wherein said signal source group be following at least one:

Emissive power lower than the power down signal transmitter of emissive power threshold value, or

Based on the wireless beacon of the IEEE802.11u technical standard for mobile radio telecommunications.

24. non-transient state memory devices according to claim 22, wherein determine described mobile device entered a position in described discrete geographic position also based on determine described mobile device outdoor status transition to indoor design condition.

25. non-transient state memory devices according to claim 22, after described operation is included in the position determining that described mobile device has entered in described discrete geographic position:

For the multiple communication channel of signal source broadcast scan, comprise the one or more signal source identifiers determining to receive in each scanning;

For the scanning of at least threshold number, determine the identifier that in the described one or more signal source identifiers received in each scanning, neither one signal source identifier match is registered;

Determine that described mobile device has exited the described fence based on classification; And then

Exit described application program.

26. 1 kinds of non-transient state memory devices being couple to the system comprising one or more processor, described non-transient state memory device stores computer instruction, and described computer instruction comprises following operation for making described system perform:

Be associated with application program by unique identifier, described unique identifier represents the fence based on classification, and described application program is configured to be activated on described mobile device when mobile device enters the described fence based on classification;

The expression of described unique identifier is made to be stored in multiple signal source;

Utilize multiple discrete location to limit the described fence based on classification, comprise and make described signal source be distributed to described discrete location, the given communication range being wherein positioned at the first signal source of first position does not reach the second place that secondary signal source is positioned at; And

When any position place of described mobile device in described discrete location detects described unique identifier, described mobile device is made to activate described application program.

27. non-transient state memory devices according to claim 26, described operation comprises by adding new discrete location to expand the described fence based on classification, wherein add described new discrete location to comprise additional signal source is placed on described new discrete location place, described additional signal source stores the described expression of described unique identifier.

28. non-transient state memory devices according to claim 26, wherein limit the described fence based on classification independent of latitude coordinate or longitude coordinate.

29. 1 kinds of non-transient state memory devices being couple to mobile device, described non-transient state memory device stores computer instruction, and described computer instruction comprises following operation for making described mobile device perform:

Determine the estimated position of described mobile device, described estimated position comprises geographic area;

Interest point data base is determined based on described geographic area and classification logotype symbol, described classification logotype symbol is associated with one group of signal source, each signal source has signal source identifier and is placed on the discrete location place in described geographic area, the described signal source identifier of the signal source in group described in wherein said interest point data library storage;

Detection signal source identifier is carried out by scanning multiple communication channel;

Determine the signal source identifier mated at least partially in the described signal source identifier stored in described interest point data base of detected signal source identifier; And

Activate based on described coupling and accord with described classification logotype the application program be associated.

30. non-transient state memory devices according to claim 29, described operation comprises:

Determine to exit fence, described in exit fence correspond to described geographic area; And

Determine from described exit fence exit time, determine new interest point data base.